My 9 yro. carved a potato about 6 mths ago and put metalscrews in it for arms an

Question

My 9 yro. carved a potato about 6 mths ago and put metalscrews in it for arms and legs. The potato has not roted yet.Is because of acid in potato and metal reaction or what? he wantsthis to be his science fair project but needs answer as to why thepotatoe has not rotted.
Thank you! My 9 yro. carved a potato about 6 mths ago and put metalscrews in it for arms and legs. The potato has not roted yet.Is because of acid in potato and metal reaction or what? he wantsthis to be his science fair project but needs answer as to why thepotatoe has not rotted.
Thank you!

Explanation / Answer

   Fascinating! While I do not know the reasonwhy the patato has not rotted, I would think it has something to dowith its exposure to bacteria. Perhaps the knife used tocarve the potato was sterile, and there are no bacteria on thepotato to rot it. Perhaps you should also ask this questionon the biology board.    Do not despair just because you do not know thereason why the potato has not rotted. You have the makings ofan excellent science fair project! You have a scientificquestion without an answer which is the very basis of allscientific discovery. If you and your son experiment to learnWHY the potato has not rotted, then you canreport the experiment and the findings which is the ultimate goalof a science fair project - to create a scientificexperiment.    As with all scientific research, first state theproblem or the mystery. In your case, "why has this potatonot rotted?"    Then, hypothesize possible reasons as to why thepotato has not rotted: -Perhaps the knife was so clean that no bacteria got onit? -Perhaps it is because the metal screws are in thepotato? -Perhaps all potatoes do not rot? -Perhaps some form of bacteria is growing on the potato thatis preventing other bacteria from rotting the potato?    Now that you have a hypothesis, you must designan experiment. First, you will need a control; that will justbe another potato (three potatoes would be better) cut open with aknife and left alone. Then, try to duplicate the originalmystery. Create another carved potato (three would be better)with screws in it and see if that one(s) rots. Then try itwith a sterile knife and sterile potato. Use rubbing alcoholto sterilize the knife and potato before you cut it to prevent anybacteria from getting on the potato. Then do this again anduse the metal screws to see what effect they have if any. Tryintroducing bacteria to the potato on purpose to see if the screwsare preventing rotting. You could introduce bacteria byputting a small amount of dirt on the potato. Perhaps it isthe acid in the potato? Try adding more acid or washing awaythe acid.  Try varying the number of screws.  Try using screws made out of a different metal. Thepossibilities are endless!    List all of the experimental variables in yourscience fair report: -potato cut open with non-sterile knife (control) -potato cut open with non-sterile knife and metalscrews -potato cut open with sterile knife -potato cut open with sterile knife and metal screws -potato cut open with bacteria added -potato cut open with bacteria added and metal screws -potato cut open and washed to remove acid -potato cut open with vinegar added to increase acidity    Now, perform the experiment. This is thefun part! Document it well. Take pictures. Perform the experiment over a certain period of time. Collectthe data and solve the mystery that perplexes you!    Once the experiment is over, report yourfindings. Tell if the mystery has been solved. What wasthe reason why that strange potato did not rot? Remember,even negative results are still results. Maybe you will onlybe able to say that the screws had no effect. If that is thecase, you still learned something. This is the whole reasonfor a science fair experiment.    So you see, the best science fair experimentshave no answer at the start. You find the answer throughexperimentation. Good luck my friend. May you find theanswer as to why that strange, strange potato did not rot and maythis ignite a passion for science in you and your son'ssouls. -potato cut open with bacteria added and metal screws -potato cut open and washed to remove acid -potato cut open with vinegar added to increase acidity    Now, perform the experiment. This is thefun part! Document it well. Take pictures. Perform the experiment over a certain period of time. Collectthe data and solve the mystery that perplexes you!    Once the experiment is over, report yourfindings. Tell if the mystery has been solved. What wasthe reason why that strange potato did not rot? Remember,even negative results are still results. Maybe you will onlybe able to say that the screws had no effect. If that is thecase, you still learned something. This is the whole reasonfor a science fair experiment.    So you see, the best science fair experimentshave no answer at the start. You find the answer throughexperimentation. Good luck my friend. May you find theanswer as to why that strange, strange potato did not rot and maythis ignite a passion for science in you and your son'ssouls. -potato cut open and washed to remove acid -potato cut open with vinegar added to increase acidity    Now, perform the experiment. This is thefun part! Document it well. Take pictures. Perform the experiment over a certain period of time. Collectthe data and solve the mystery that perplexes you!    Once the experiment is over, report yourfindings. Tell if the mystery has been solved. What wasthe reason why that strange potato did not rot? Remember,even negative results are still results. Maybe you will onlybe able to say that the screws had no effect. If that is thecase, you still learned something. This is the whole reasonfor a science fair experiment.    So you see, the best science fair experimentshave no answer at the start. You find the answer throughexperimentation. Good luck my friend. May you find theanswer as to why that strange, strange potato did not rot and maythis ignite a passion for science in you and your son'ssouls. -potato cut open with vinegar added to increase acidity    Now, perform the experiment. This is thefun part! Document it well. Take pictures. Perform the experiment over a certain period of time. Collectthe data and solve the mystery that perplexes you!    Once the experiment is over, report yourfindings. Tell if the mystery has been solved. What wasthe reason why that strange potato did not rot? Remember,even negative results are still results. Maybe you will onlybe able to say that the screws had no effect. If that is thecase, you still learned something. This is the whole reasonfor a science fair experiment.    So you see, the best science fair experimentshave no answer at the start. You find the answer throughexperimentation. Good luck my friend. May you find theanswer as to why that strange, strange potato did not rot and maythis ignite a passion for science in you and your son'ssouls.

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